July 27, 2004
SAN BRUNO, Calif. - The Santa Clara University volleyball program has been picked to finish the West Coast Conference season in second place, according to a preseason poll selected by the league's coaches. The Broncos received two first-place votes in the poll.
Pepperdine was predicted to claim the 2004 league crown, receiving five first-place votes. Santa Clara tied with Loyola Marymount with 50 points, while San Diego was tabbed to finish fourth. Rounding out the poll is Saint Mary's, San Francisco, Portland and Gonzaga.
The Waves return three All-WCC performers, including the Defensive and Freshman Players of the Year, from a team that advanced to the Sweet 16 of last year's NCAA Championship and peaked with a No. 6 national ranking. Pepperdine will take a 42-game win streak into the conference season.
Santa Clara posted 20 wins last season and made its fifth straight NCAA postseason appearance. The Broncos finished the league season in second place last year, and were also ranked, peaking at No. 12. All-WCC performers Toni Muratore and Cassie Perret return to the court this season to lead the Broncos.
Loyola Marymount is right behind the Broncos, looking to improve on their third-place showing last year. The Lions were ranked 17th in the nation by season's end and return five starters.
San Diego finished sixth in the WCC a year ago but returns five All-WCC performers, as does Saint Mary's, who made its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2003.
The complete release can be found by clicking here.
WCC Preseason Poll
| Rank | School | Points |
| 1. | Pepperdine (5) | 60 |
| T2. | Santa Clara (2) | 50 |
| T2. | Loyola Marymount | 50 |
| 4. | San Diego (1) | 46 |
| 5. | Saint Mary's | 32 |
| 6. | San Francisco | 22 |
| 7. | Portland | 17 |
| 8. | Gonzaga | 11 |
(first place votes)
